Hypertension and Myocardial Infarction Meadville PA

Hypertension is a type of cardiovascular disease characterized by elevation of blood pressure above the level considered normal for people of similar racial and environmental backgrounds. It should be emphasized that a single reading of high blood pressure does not indicate hypertension. If blood pressure readings are taken on two or more subsequent days, and is 140/90 mm Hg or higher, then a diagnosis of hypertension can be confirmed. Because it affects the entire circulatory system, hypertension can be detrimental to all the major organs, including the heart, brain, and kidneys. It may contribute to death from heart failure, heart attacks, stroke, and even kidney failure. The relationship between hypertension and atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure (CHF) has been clearly established in medical studies. CHF and myocardial infarction (heart attack) account for the majority of deaths caused by hypertension.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI or MI) is commonly known as a heart attack. It is a medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to a part of the heart is interrupted, most commonly due to rupture of plaque in a coronary artery. It is a medical emergency, and the leading cause of death for both men and women all over the world. More than 50 percent of patients with ischemic heart disease initially present with acute myocardial infarction, and 50 percent of patients who suffer acute myocardial infarction do not survive.¹

Researchers published a study in the Hypertension journal investigating the relationship between antecedent hypertension (pre-existing condition) after an acute myocardial infarction and the risk of stroke and cardiovascular events. There were 14,703 patients involved in the Myocardial Infarction Trial and of these patients 58.3 percent reported they had antecedent hypertension. In comparison to patients without antecedent hypertension, the patients with antecedent hypertension experienced higher blood pressure in 3 follow-up visits within the first 6 months. Researchers concluded that there was an association six months after a high-risk myocardial infarction between antecedent hypertension and increased risk of subsequent stroke and cardiovascular events.²

¹ Ryan TJ, Anderson JL, Rapaport E, et al. ACC/AHA guidelines for the management of patients with acute myocardial infarction: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association task force on practice guideline. Committee on management of acute myocardial infarction. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1996;28:1328-1428.

² Thune JJ, Signorovitch J, Kober L, et al. Effect of antecedent hypertension and follow-up blood pressure on outcomes after high-risk myocardial infarction. Hypertension. 2008;51(1):48-54.